Canadian CANNAINVESTOR Magazine September 2018 | Page 210

Don’t Sleep on Canada’s Medical Cannabis Market

By Matt Maurer

With Canada’s legalization of adult recreational use cannabis just around the corner on October 17, 2018, local, regional, national and international media have been covering the industry like never before. Not a day goes by without a major news outlet running some sort of story on the cannabis industry. In fact, many news agencies have now created sections of their outlets that report exclusively on cannabis.

However, the news outlets overwhelmingly report on issues linked directly to the adult recreational use market. How will companies be permitted to advertise? Where can cannabis be consumed? Who will be permitted to sell cannabis to the public? Important and interesting topics for sure, but flying under the radar is the existing medical system that has been in place for many years and will continue to co-exist alongside the recreational market for many more.

Currently, medical cannabis use is governed by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (the “ACMPR”). Come October 17th existing medical system will remain, for the most part unchanged, but will simply be moved under Part 14 of the regulations under the Cannabis Act.

Despite the objection of some prominent groups, including the Canadian Medical Association, the medical system will continue to co-exist alongside the recreational

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